15 Best and Worst Face Scrubs

Troubled by acne, sunspots, and wrinkles? See the scrubs readers say will exfoliate your skin sorrows away — and the ones that won’t

This is a TotalBeauty.com skin care products article

It feels like we’re playing roulette whenever we buy a new face scrub that promises to banish all our skin woes. But not anymore. With this roundup of readers’ best and worst exfoliants, the odds are definitely in our favor.

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THE WORST NO. 6: BURT’S BEES PEACH & WILLOWBARK DEEP PORE SCRUB, $8

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.9

“It leaves skin feeling oily and doesn’t get rid of blackheads as promised.”

NO. 5: MARIO BADESCU STRAWBERRY FACE SCRUB, $15

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.7

“The seeds are harsh and scratch my face — the scrub doesn’t do anything except hurt your skin.”

NO. 4: ST. IVES NATURALLY CLEAR GREEN TEA SCRUB, $9.99

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.4

“I’m glad I bought this on sale because it has done nothing for my skin.”

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16 Best and Worst Waterproof Mascaras

Sick of runny, smudged mascara and raccoon eyes? You need this list

This is a TotalBeauty.com eye makeup article

Reality TV stars Lauren Conrad and Kim Kardashian have this in common: crying on national TV with mascara running down their cheeks. They were clearly not wearing one of these top-rated mascaras. Even if your next good cry isn’t televised, you can let your tears flow knowing that one of these best waterproof mascaras will keep you from looking like a raccoon. Just make sure to avoid the duds

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The Worst No. 6: Maybelline New York Great Lash Washable Mascara in Waterproof, $6.40

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.5

“I turned into Ricky Raccoon after just three hours with this mascara on.”

The Worst No. 5: CoverGirl Exact Eyelights Eye-Brightening Waterproof Mascara, $7.24

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.1

Readers call this “pure crap,” vowing that “this is the last time I buy drugstore items with terrible false advertisements.”

The Worst No. 4: Maybelline New York Intense XXL Volume & Length Waterproof Microfiber Mascara, $9.40

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 5.8

“It looked oddly like I was wearing bad fake lashes, like the kind you would find in a 5-year-old’s dress-up kit.”

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3 Lipsticks That Flatter Every Woman

We applied the same lipsticks on four women with varying skin tones and undertones — see which hues flattered all

This is a TotalBeauty.com makeup article

Finding the perfect red lipstick can take months of trial and error — until now. We tested a gamut of lip colors on four women with very different skin tones to find the lipsticks that are truly universally flattering. See our three picks now.

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The 15 Best Beauty Tips We’ve Ever Heard

Beauty editors hear thousands of beauty tips a day, but these are the 15 they live by

This is a TotalBeauty.com beauty tips article

Oh, we’ve heard it all. From live fish pecking at your feet to remove dead skin, to using eye cream to heal chapped lips, the amount of beauty tips we get is overwhelming. But which tips do we actually use ourselves? Here are the 15 we swear by.

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18 Best Face Cleansers

You’re doing your face a disservice if you’re not using one of these top-rated cleansers. See what they are now

This is a TotalBeauty.com skin care products article

Does your cleanser still leave you with mascara residue under your eyes? Does it irritate your sensitive skin? Do you still struggle with overly active oil glands? You need one of these 18 reader favorites. They’ll help you put your best face forward.

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No. 18: Clinique Liquid Facial Soap, $15

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.7

“I have combination skin that is prone to both dry patches and blackheads and this is the only cleanser I have found that does a wonderful job of keeping my pores clean without stripping my face and leaving it crepe-y or scaly looking.”

No. 17: Mary Kay Creamy Cleanser 2, $12

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.8

“My face used to feel tight after washing it, but since I started using this cleanser, my skin is always soft and moist now.”

No. 16: Ambi Complexion Cleansing Bar, $1.99

TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 8.9

“This cleanser has a great fragrance and leaves your face feeling refreshed and revitalized without removing the skin’s natural moisture.”

Want to see what was No. 1? Click here!

10 Best Tips from Makeup School

One editor goes to makeup school and comes back with a notepad full of professional makeup techniques — steal her tips

This is a TotalBeauty.com makeup article

Makeup school is not only time-consuming, but it can cost up to $6,000 for just one introductory course. Becoming a professional makeup artist is no small feat, which is why we sent one beauty editor to three different makeup academies for you. Now you can learn how to apply your own makeup like a pro without spending the time or the cash yourself. You can thank us later.

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8 Bad Habits That Are Ruining Your Skin

You know that tanning and skimping on sunscreen are bad for you, but these other 8 skin-ruining habits will shock you

This is a TotalBeauty.com skin care article

Do you feel like you’re spending loads of money on the latest skin care products, reading every skin care article online, yet still deal with bad skin? You’re probably committing one of these 8 skin sins. See what they are now.

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3 Long-lasting Manicures

With these manis, chipped nails will be a thing of the past — see them now

This is a TotalBeauty.com nails article

We admit we’re just a little (okay, a lot) obsessed with our nails. We’re up to speed on every new nail art design, stick-on, and trendy color. So when we found out there were three new processes that promised to make our manicures last, we had to check them out. Want to see what they are?

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Gorgeous Eye Makeup Looks for Your Holiday Parties

Got an office holiday party or a coffee date with your crush? These new looks are perfect for every occasion

This is a TotalBeauty.com eye makeup article

Just because your makeup is “office appropriate” doesn’t mean it has to be boring. Whatever the festive occasion, we’ve got new, stunning looks that are sure to snag you the attention you deserve.

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Total Beauty’s Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide

Skip the “Elf” DVD and homemade scarf. We’ve got the perfect ideas for all your loved ones

This is a TotalBeauty.com makeup article

Have you earned a reputation for boring, generic presents wrapped in pretty boxes (that fool no one)? We get buying thoughtful gifts for everyone on your list can be tedious, so we did the thinking for you! You can thank us later.

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